What Products Have Potassium Nitrate?

Potassium nitrate is a naturally occurring chemical consisting of potassium, nitrogen and oxygen atoms. Also known as saltpeter, potassium nitrate is a principal ingredient in fertilizers and fireworks. Soils rich in organic matter contain abundant potassium nitrate, and the chemical also exists as a whitish crust on cave walls. Contrary to common belief, saltpeter does not decrease your sex drive, according to Richard Jones in "Human Reproductive Biology." However, potassium nitrate is an important component in several food and drug products.

Cured Meats

Potassium nitrate and its decomposition product, potassium nitrite, are used as a preservative in cured meats such as corned beef and salami. The nitrates and nitrites provide an antimicrobial environment, inhibiting the growth of Clostridium botulinum and Listeria monocytogene organisms in the meat. Potassium nitrate also gives cured meats their pink color, and it acts as an antioxidant to delay rancidity. The American Meat Institute Foundation says that, despite these benefits, levels of nitrates and nitrites in meats are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture because these chemicals may convert to the carcinogen nitrosamine in the stomach.

Toothpaste

Potassium nitrate is a key ingredient in toothpaste marketed for sensitive teeth. In the September 2006 issue of the Australian Dental Journal, Dr. Mark Bartold states that low-abrasive toothpaste containing 5 percent potassium nitrate reduces dental hypersensitivity without damaging tooth tissue. While the mechanism of action is unknown, potassium nitrate may reduce dental nerve activity, which decreases tooth sensitivity.

Cigarettes

Cigarette manufacturers add a variety of inorganic chemicals to tobacco to increase consumer satisfaction with the smoking experience. One of the many chemicals added to tobacco in cigarettes is potassium nitrate. The chemical acts as an oxidizer, improving not only how evenly the cigarette burns but also how well it remains lit.

Vegetables

Nitrates, including potassium nitrate, are a natural component of vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens, root vegetables and spinach. The nitrate content of these vegetables, and beetroot in particular, is a topic of interest in the treatment of high blood pressure. In the February 2008 issue of Hypertension, Dr. Andrew Webb says that nitrates in beetroot juice markedly lowered blood pressure in healthy volunteers compared to control subjects who ingested water. He attributes the reduction in blood pressure to the conversion of nitrate to nitrite, which in turn converts to the cardioprotective chemical nitric oxide in your body. Webb hypothesizes that a diet rich in nitrates may help prevent and treat hypertension.